Saturday, February 11, 2012

Don't Treat Me Like a Fool

Usually that's something I leave to TheDad, because he's all into that sort of thing, and I figure that one politically-obsessed person in the household is enough. I back off--to balance things out.

But that doesn't mean I don't notice. And it doesn't mean I don't take action when action is necessary.

This is one of those times.

I listened to President Obama's self-congratulatory tone as he announced an "accommodation" to the HHS policy that would leave Catholic hospitals, universities and other institutions no choice but to offer health plans providing contraception, abortion-inducing drugs and sterilization procedures, all of which directly violate Catholic moral teaching.

I listened, and I realized that this "accommodation" makes things worse than it did before. In the guise of making it LOOK like the Catholic employer would get to opt out, this plan requires that all insurance plans provide these, um, "services."

We all know that there's no free lunch. We know that somebody's going to have to pay for it. Ultimately, everybody's going to have to pay for it, because health-care costs will go up in order to pay for it, and that cost will be absorbed by employees.

Who knew that the President of the United States would borrow an argument more age-appropriate for his own children: "Everybody does it." 99% of American women, he says, have used birth control during their reproductive years.

If that number is even true (and I haven't seen any proof that it is), that doesn't make it any less wrong.

With all due respect, Mr. Obama, would you buy that "everybody does it" line if your daughter used it on you? Or would you answer, as parents have done for decades, "if everyone was jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge, would you do the same?"

If "everybody" decided to stop paying income taxes, you wouldn't think that "everybody does it" is a very good argument, now would you?

Don't treat me like a fool, Mr. President. I can see what you're up to, and frankly, it terrifies me.

Jimmy Akin has an excellent analysis at the National Catholic Register. Read the whole thing, and follow the "take action" link at the bottom.

I should have a very detailed article up at HLI in the next day or so. For now let me address the 99% number. It is from a CDC report. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCgQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fnchs%2Fpressroom%2Fdata%2FContraception_Series_Report.pdf&ei=6uc2T5iWJam1sQLc5NmbAg&usg=AFQjCNGkHSgL7Gkm8a13AsmwGQBsOxSYvw

What this says is that 99% of American women use some form of contraception during their lifetime.Usage at any given moment is much lower. Now--get this--it includes the use of NFP! This is one of those "lies, damn lies, and statistics" moments.

About Me

Peace and all good

While we have time, let us do good.

What is the SFO?

The Secular Franciscan Order, formerly known as the Third Order of St. Francis, is an official Order within the Catholic Church, and was established by St. Francis of Assisi early in the thirteenth century. Members do not live in community, but live their everyday lives in the world. However, members gather together in fraternity on a regular basis. By profession, they promise to follow a Rule of Life approved and confirmed by Pope Paul VI in June of 1978.

In these fraternities the brothers and sisters, led by the Spirit, strive for perfect charity in their own secular state.

“The rule and life of the Secular Franciscan is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following Saint Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people.” (from the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order)

My Pocket Rosary

Today's pocket rosary is for: my husband and children;
the repose of the souls of Uncle Pat, Mary M, OFS, Martha K, OFS, Eileen S, OFS, and Mark H;for my old friend and musical co-conspirator PJ;for the intentions of the Holy Father;Michelle's brother-in-law, deployed to Iraq,and for his family;Denise's son who is serving our country in the Middle East;all my OFS brothers and sisters; and the intentions of all who read this blog.

Check out my Links!

2013 Spiritual Mission

Chosen for the year ahead at our annual Extraction of Saints
My patron saint: Saint Anthony of Padua
Virtue to develop: Piety
Maxim to follow: "Live always in truth, that you may die in obedience."
Praying for the intentions of: Sister Julia, OSF

Swidget 1.0

Writing because I love it

Prayer for a Prolife Nation

Father in Heaven, bless the leaders of our nation with wisdom, humility, and upright moral character. May our leaders know that justice can only be achieved when we uphold the principal priority of the Right to Life. Give to our public servants the grace to make decisions that are appropriate to their office. Allow them to be humble before all people, by serving the needs of the citizens, not just with words, but most importantly with actions. Lord, as nations experience division due to political fighting, give to citizens the grace to be peacemakers, to take responsibility for their own lives, and to try and work together for the good of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
--Father Leo Patalinghug at Grace Before Meals